Some advice.....

[Jazz's_person]

Hi all,
I stumbled upon this forum looking for training tips for my new puppy. We have had Jazz for a week now, he is 7 weeks old today. And so far is picking things up very quickly. He is already whining at the door to go potty (most of the time).
What I could use some advice on is 1) he is very 'nippy'. Sometimes he bites pretty hard, it is all in play, but still something we need to put a stop to asap. I read on here about "pinching" his nose, which has been working pretty well. Does anyone have any other suggestions to discourage this habit?
My other concern (which I am not even sure if it is a real concern) is I have a 5 year old westie. Because he is a small dog, he has been allowed some habits that I am not so sure I want an 80+ lb. dog having such as he sleeps in our bed, we allow him to put his paws up on us. Otherwise he is a very well behaved/trained dog. Will Jazz be able to learn it is not okay for him to jump on people if he sees Moe putting his paws on people (Moe doesn't jump on us, he just lifts his paws up and waits to be petted) And what do you guys think about a Lab being in the bed?
I look forward to hearing what advice you all have to offer....Thanks!!!

[HersheyK's Dad]

There are some great training threads to help you with the issues you have asked about.

The nipping, so Jazz was separated from the litter a bit early. This was a time when littermates tend to teach each other about nipping. So, now you have to do it. First, don't allow it. Scream anytime human skin is taken into his mouth. Give him something he can chew on whenever he tries for human flesh. The screaming, yeliing, Ouch! No! Eeek! Whatever works for you. You want to let him know it hurts, you don't like it, scare him. Do not hit him.

One dog allowed, the other isn't? I can't help with that. I am sure it can be taught, but I don't think its fair.

[Canula2000]

Your pup is very young still, many breeders will keep the puppies until they are 8 weeks. I personally think pups should go home at 10-12 weeks old. Between 5-10 weeks a puppy is learning bite inhibition. This is best taught by the mom dog and littermates. However since he is now in your home, you must teach him it is not okay to bite. Your other dog should be able to help with this as well. I like to have toys with me that I can trade into pup's mouth anytime a pup tries to mouth me. Just take a toy and move it toward him, puppy will usually grab on. If he is not interested in the toy and continues to go for your hand or arm then you can be more firm with him and grab his snout while telling him "no". Also, you can "yelp" anytime he bites you. A loud yelp will startle the pup and then you can give him the toy.

Teaching a pup not to jump starts early as well, just never give him good attention when he jumps up. Wait until he is calm and on the ground for praise and pettings. Also, for furniture if you do not want him on furniture you must not let him up.

[Jazz's_person]

Thank you both for your advice. The nipping is getting A LOT better...still needs some work, but he's getting there. We started training him with the bell to go outside. Jazz is doing great with it. He is ringing it everytime he remembers to go to the door.
To clarify...perhaps I didn't not word this very well in the 1st post. My small dog has a few habits that are okay for him but will not be okay for an 80+ lb dog. I guess what I wanted to know is 1) is Jazz going to be confused when we are teaching him not to jump up but sees the small dog doing it? 2) should I just start teaching my small dog not to do this anymore?
And how many of you allow your lab in your bed and how is it working out for you? I ask because I allow the westie in my bed and that is going to be a really hard one to break him of. I don't mind Jazz on any of the other furniture, just not sure aout the bed yet.

[Spike's Mom]

The cat has slept on the bed forever - I'd love to keep her off but I don't even know how I would do that and still give her access to her litter box but my opinion is that I would train the little one to stay off. Before I had Spike I had a pug and for a little dog that's a big jump to get on and off the bed. You've been very lucky he hasn't hurt himself yet.

[csblabmom]

We have 2 adult labs that sleep with us... they make the best snugglers :-)

[Canula2000]

Yes, it will be hard to keep him off furniture if the other dog is allowed. Usually pups follow the other dog and learn from them. But you can teach him the 'off' command and keep him off the furniture this way. My labrador isn't allowed on the couches but he still jumps up on them when I am not around, and if he hears me coming he quickly jumps off. *sigh* I finally gave up and threw a blanket on the couch. But he is still very respectful when I am in the room. I don't mind so much that I am older, or that he is. I guess I decided he has earned a few good naps on the couch for being a good dog.

[rookyduckling]

we sleep with 4 labs in a king size bed................it's possible but some nights not really comfortable

[Sophiesmama]

We have never crated our Sophie. She is 14 weeks and about 30lbs now. She has slept with us from day 1....she loves to snuggle, and sleeps on her back. She sleeps through the night, and gets up usually between 9 and 10 (good dog!) our poodle also sleeps at the foot of the bed. Sometimes on of our cats joins the party...we had our sweet Maggie May that passed away in May sleep with us for years, and she was 90lbs!

[Tanya]

The biting has already been covered and you have been given tips on how to deal with the jumping - the goal is you want to stop it right away.

As for having two sets of rules for two dogs....of course it is possible. But it will be alot more work to train the puppy to NOT do what he sees the other dog do. the puppy will follow the other dog up on the bed and on your legs (monkey see monkey do). In fact, one of hte main reasons we suggest people wait until the first dog is fully trained before getting the second - is the second dog will follow the lead of the first dog (do as they do).

My biggest concern on having two sets of rules is that you are playing with the pack dynamic. You are letting the little dog be top dog (and in some cases this might be for the better). ESPECIALLY if on top of the jumping and sleeping on teh bed you often lift the little dog - this means the dog is always "above" the puppy. If you go this route, please make sure the little dog doesn't get an inflated head and thinks he is boss. Monitor the relationship as it progresses.

ETA: for the record, MY dog sleeps in my bed (Rocky). But my fosters generally do not. So it is possible to have two sets of rules. However, my fosters move on to forever homes with time and they are older so it isn't exactly the same. They try a few imes to follow Rocky onto the bed but usually they get the hint after a few correction (i.e. moving them off the bed). However, I failed on this with my current foster and she slept on the bed from day 3 onwards.